Reference

Every part of 8TML 1, grouped the way a page is built.

• Files and characters: file names, the character set, line endings.
• Page header: the --- block at the top of every page.
• Blocks: paragraphs, headings, lists, quotes, preformatted text and the rest; the start of a line decides.
• Inline markup: emphasis, tags, colors, links and escapes inside the text.
• Forms: the form block and its field types.
• Stylesheets (8SS): .8ss files, keys, style words and the cascade.
• Addresses and HTTP: URLs, requests, the HTTPS proxy and client limits.

About the examples

Most examples show only the body of a page and leave the header out. Their previews are made by the reference implementation as a 40-column Commodore 64 client would show them, with its default styles and case: mixed. Real clients choose their own default colors, so a page can look different on another machine; what it says stays the same.

Words used here

• Client: a program that shows 8TML pages: a browser, a viewer or a converter.
• Source line: one line of the file, up to the next line break.
• Block: a paragraph, heading, list item, quote, preformatted text, separator or form.
• Role: what a piece of text is (normal text, heading, link, quote, …). Stylesheets give each role its look.
• Must, should, may: used as in standards: must is required, should is strongly recommended, may is allowed.